Facebook to publish data on Irish abortion referendum ads

Social media company to provide details of spending on ads targeting Irish voters

Facebook is to publish comprehensive data on political advertising during Ireland's abortion referendum campaign, giving an unprecedented insight into targeting of voters on social media, and setting a powerful precedent for election transparency.

The US company has told Irish politicians it will provide anonymised details of the amount spent on targeting Irish voters on its platform between 1 March and 25 May, and the number of referendum-linked ads that had been purchased.